Livingston teen, Laine Hardy, earns golden ticket on American Idol

Last night on American Idol, thousands watched amateur singers from across the country give their all to receive the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood. And one family in Livingston was watching too, as one of their own had his audition with the judges featured on the singing competition.

17-year-old Laine Hardy, a senior at Livingston High School, auditioned for the show in New Orleans and his family cheered with him last night as they watched him earn his spot in Hollywood. Hundreds of Hardy's friends and family crowded Sarita's restaurant in Denham Springs for an American Idol watch party.

"It's a blessing to have all of these people here," Laine said as the group prepared to watch the episode.

After an hour of waiting, the moment finally arrived during the show when Laine walked into the audition room.

Laine wowed the judges on Monday night with his rendition of "Hurricane" by Band of Heathens which he sang while playing on his guitar. Hardy learned to play guitar when he was 7-years-old with the help of a First Act instrument his mother purchased from Walmart. Encouraged by his family, Hardy says he continued to practice guitar and to try to develop his singing voice. The encouragement and practice paid off for Hardy last night.

After finishing, Idol judge Luke Bryan commented to Hardy that, "If you ain't careful, you might win American Idol." Judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie agreed fully with Bryan who offered a resounding "yes," gifting Hardy with the golden ticket and sending him to Hollywood.

At Sarita's restaurant, the crowd was ecstatic with the news.

Even Laine himself, who already knew he was moving forward in the competition, was emotional as he recalled memories from that day.

"Now that I've got the golden ticket I'm excited and I'm happy to get the opportunity to go to Hollywood and show people what I can do, show them my voice," Laine says of his accomplishment.

His family and friends even formed a line after the episode aired to get an autograph from the budding singer.

The 2018 season of American Idol airs on KATC TV 3 on Sunday & Monday nights at 7 pm.